Environmental Resources

Pesticide Licenses and Training

Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing Clinics jointly administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and University of Illinois Extension are cancelled for the remainder of the clinic season.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture will extend licenses that expired December 31, 2019. These licenses will now be valid through December 31, 2020.

(April 3, 2020)For those in need of a new license for 2020:

After consultation with US EPA, the Department will release on-line testing on Monday, April 6, 2020. Only a limited number of exam categories are currently available online. Please follow the instructions below to request and register for an exam.

Email agr.clm@illinois.govwith the following information: first and last name, email, phone number and test(s) needed.Note: Companies with more than one applicator needing to test must submit requests in one email. This will help us administer the tests in a timely manner.

The Department will contact you within 1-2 business days at the email address provided. The email will contain instructions and a secure link to the exam.

Upon completion of the exam, the Department will notify you via email with your score. For individuals who pass the exam the email will include a printable temporary license. Individuals who do not pass the exam will receive instructions on how to re-test (please remember it is only allowable to test 3 times in a 6-month period).

Any questions about the exam process or unique situations can be emailed toagr.clm@illinois.gov.Please note that if technology is an issue, testing can be done on a mobile device.

As a reminder, these exams are being offered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, all individuals who took an on-line exam and received a temporary license will be required to re-test in 2021.

The Department relies on the integrity of the agricultural community and industry to safeguard the examination. Cheating, copying, theft of the exam or any other activity compromising the examination is grounds for license revocation.

Please remember that to apply dicamba or paraquat in 2020, you must be a certified applicator and have met specific training requirements.

The labels for Engenia, Xtendimax, Fexapan and Tavium all require the application to be performed by a “certified applicator”. In order to become a certified applicator, individuals must pass the general standards exam and the field crop category. Anyone applying one of the four aforementioned dicamba-containing products must have completed the required annual dicamba specific training as per label requirements. Online options are now the only options available due to COVID-19 cancellations. Choose the on-line training program for the product you plan to use to provide certification for using dicamba in 2020. Those who participate for the entire training class will receive a certificate of completion that can be utilized as proof of training for recordkeeping purposes.

If applying paraquat under the new label, application must be made by a “certified applicator.” In order to become a certified applicator, individuals must pass the general standards exam and at least one applicable category exam (ie. Field Crop). In addition, anyone applying paraquat under the new label must have completed the required paraquat specific training as per label requirements. The direct link to the course is here, and USEPA information with an FAQ is foundhere.Training must be retaken every three years.

As livestock farmers look to conduct second quarter (April – June) sampling of perimeter drain tiles for compliance with the LMFA, they should review recent guidance from IDOA about any complications from COVID-19.